“In response to an election process that has been challenging and divisive, I believe it is time for us, in the Avila community, to reflect on who we are and what we value as an institution founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. We are called to come together in a spirit of healing, reconciliation, peacefulness, and respect for each other. I want to quote from an email sent yesterday from the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The members of the U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph are calling for all Americans to come together in the spirit of unity and reconciliation and build relationships based on respect. The Sisters of St. Joseph are encouraging participation in a National Day of Prayer for Unity and Reconciliation on Friday, Nov. 11.
We need to begin the process of healing and moving forward in the belief that reconciliation and trust are possible. God creates newness out of brokenness and chaos and, as Sisters of St. Joseph, we believe in fostering unity that’s not uniformity, and diversity that’s not division.
On this Veteran’s Day as we honor those who have fought and sacrificed for our country to preserve our values and way of life, let us honor them by seeking the peace, reconciliation, and unity that reflects the values of this institution and that call us into right relationships with our neighbor be they the persons next door or around the world. As the Sisters reflect in their closing sentence of their statement:
Sisters of St. Joseph and affiliates are reaffirming our commitment to our mission of living and working so that all may be one.”
– President Ronald A. Sleptiza, Ph.D., CSJA